Project 461026

Caesarean deliveries are an essential and life-saving part of healthcare; however, too many Caesareans can increase the risk of death and disability for mothers and their infants. Infections are the most common complication after Caesarean deliveries. Worldwide, at least 10% of all deaths in pregnancy and childbirth are caused by severe infection, and the rate is nearly doubled (20%) in sub-Saharan Africa, where it kills >75,000 women each year. Little is known about the causes and circumstances of these infections in sub-Saharan Africa. Before we can introduce strategies to reduce the high rates of infection in pregnancy and childbirth, we need to understand the context in which they occur. We will conduct one-on-one and group discussions with key representatives of the Rwandan health system to identify the causes and circumstances of infections following Caesarean delivery. Participants will include health care workers (obstetricians, nurses, midwives) and administrators (heads of department). Information gathered from these discussions will be used to develop a grant proposal to address this critical health issue. All activities will be conducted in collaboration with researchers, clinicians and decision-makers at the University of Rwanda and the University of British Columbia. This project will further strengthen the partnership between the two groups.